Didn't enjoy 1st day at new school..

[MrPickles73]

Just that really.. DC1 is 13. Had 1st day at new school.. there were other new kids there. DC1 claims the existing pupils are unfriendly and they don't to go back.. sigh.. they have changed schools before but we've never had a first day as negative as this before..

Making new friends is harder at 13 than at a younger age. I suggest you advise you child to give it time and to get involved with as much extra curricular stuff as possible.

Is it the move from middle to high school so everyone is new, or is it the move within secondary so the others have been together in y7-8? I think this matters are it opens up how much choice they have in it and how likely things are to change

If they transfer at year 9 they do need to hit the ground running. What are his strengths, is he into music, sport, drama etc where he may find common ground. Did any others from his previous school move there?

Am I right in thinking that you kept your child at a prep school up to 13 so they could enjoy being the top of the school Head of House and games captain etc? (your user name looks familiar). . If that is so then now entering a school with a mainly age 11 year 7 entry will be harder. I think you just have to encourage your DC to join in extra curricular activities, participate in class and gradually they will find their tribe or children with a similar outlook.

Most of them have already been there for 2 years atleast but they have moved with other new starters they know so not alone.
Just a depressing start... They do plenty of extra-curricular activities but sadly for reasons beyond our control they won't be able to join in for the first 2 weeks due to logistics..

Onward and upward.. hopefully.